Chapter 404 Unprecedented!!

in, it’s just us two" asked 郝仁."In battle, quality trumps quantity. Liu Linlin and Liu Lili can join us too if necessary; I might even add another person for a total of five—better odds that way. Wha...Chapter 404: Unprecedented!!

Zhao... Kuò

Hao Ren's heart jolted.

Since Zhao Kuo failed to ascend to the Heavenly Dragon and barely survived, he had never returned to the East Sea.

Zhao Guang originally thought that after some time of training outside, Zhao Kuo would come back soon. Unexpectedly, there was no news about Zhao Kuo since he left.

Worried that something might have happened to Zhao Kuo, Zhao Guang sent countless people to打聽 his whereabouts and finally obtained the information a few days ago: The rarely seen Zhao Kuo wanted to take part in the Dragon God Temple's examination!

This morning, Qing Lu also called him and said Hao Ren would participate in the Dragon God Temple's examination as Su Han’s assistant examiner!

Connecting these two events, Zhao Guang had a plan.

"It's like this. I don't know if this information is true, but it’s still a clue. So, my mother Afzi, Afzi herself, and several elders will go to the Dragon God Temple on Saturday," Zhao Guang continued over the phone.

"Is there anything I can help with" Hao Ren asked him.

"Actually, there's nothing much. The reason for your participation in the Dragon God Temple’s examination is no longer as Su Han’s assistant examiner, but to represent the East Sea Dragon Palace!" Zhao Guang said.

The East Sea Dragon Palace!

Hao Ren was representing the East Sea Dragon Palace!

Before, the Four Seas Dragon Palaces never cared about the activities of the Dragon God Temple; the cultivators from the Four Seas Dragon Palaces also never participated in the examinations.

Su Han could take part in the examination because she was originally not a cultivator from the East Sea Dragon Palace.

From a structural perspective, the Four Seas Dragon Palaces were an alliance of four super forces, while the Dragon God Temple was an alliance of numerous small factions. The rise of the Dragon God Temple actually challenged the Four Seas Dragon Palaces!

Hence, the Four Seas Dragon Palaces never involved themselves in matters related to the Dragon God Temple, and generally speaking, the Dragon God Temple did not interfere with the affairs of the Four Seas Dragon Palaces but merely supervised them.

However, if Hao Ren represented the East Sea Dragon Palace to participate in the examination at the Dragon God Temple rather than participating as Su Han’s assistant examiner, its significance would be completely different!

Even if only one cultivator from the East Sea Dragon Palace participated, it would still have symbolic meaning!

Hao Ren happened to open this precedent.

"Alright, I understand." Hao Ren said into the phone. He suddenly felt a heavy burden on his shoulders.

If he lost while representing Su Han as her assistant examiner, it would just be a loss. But if he represented the East Sea Dragon Palace, it would affect its reputation...

"You don't need to think too much. This is a strategic decision made by me and several elders. Therefore, your performance in the examination isn’t the most important thing. Furthermore, with you representing the East Sea Dragon Palace, we will have sufficient reasons to visit the Dragon God Temple, which can help us open new opportunities and also seek information about my third brother," Zhao Guang said.

"Alright, I understand." Hao Ren replied.

Zhao Guang’s journey was, on one hand, an active approach towards the Dragon God Temple. On the other hand, it aimed to meet Zhao Kuo. Digging deeper, perhaps the latter reason might be more important.

Currently, the situation of the Four Seas Dragon Palaces was unpredictable; Zhao Haoran's return had strongly suppressed the South and North Sea Dragon Palaces and defeated the West Sea Dragon Palace. However, the alliance between the Four Seas Dragon Palaces also became very fragile.

"Also, Xie Yujia and Lu Linlin, Lu Lili, Zhen Cunming will join us." Zhao Guang said finally before hanging up.

Hao Ren held his phone in a daze; he didn't expect that his participation in the examination alone would have such an enormous support team.

The Dragon King of the East Sea, the mother dragon of the East Sea, the princess of the East Sea, over ten elders in purple robes from the East Sea, the last disciple of a great cultivator at the Core Formation stage, and two sisters from the Celestial Realm. Additionally, the sole disciple of Yin Niu, the eldest son of the Creator Divine Dragon! This was an unprecedented lineup!

But thinking about it again, if such a large support team was behind him and he got knocked down in the first round or failed to pass the theoretical exam on the first day, wouldn't that be too embarrassing

Thinking this far, Hao Ren suddenly felt beads of sweat trickling down his back...

He looked at Xie Yujia’s beautiful silhouette ahead and guessed that she must have known he was going to participate in the Dragon God Temple’s examination. Therefore, she could understand why he jogged with Su Han every morning and even looked forward to watching Hao Ren's match this weekend, so her mood was very happy!

"Start class!"

The balding teacher entered the classroom and loudly shouted, interrupting Hao Ren’s thoughts.

Time ticked by. The bell rang, putting an end to the dull atmosphere in the class.

Hao Ren slowly stowed away the Sword Shadow Technique and was about to get up with Zhao Jiayin to go back to the dormitory when a boy wearing a white short T-shirt suddenly appeared at the door.

His appearance caused all students in the classroom to stop involuntarily.

The third-year student, Du Changlu from the Go club, was astonishingly skilled. During high school, he won the national championship for young players and continued to win the amateur category’s national championship for two consecutive years in college. He had even joined a Chinese delegation to compete in South Korea and achieved an impressive 16 wins against one loss.

His talent and strength earned high praise from several top players in the Chinese Go scene. His elegant smile, low-key personality, humble attitude, and handsome appearance attracted a large number of loyal female fans.

In contrast to Huang Xujie, he was extremely popular among campus girls but never boasted about it; due to frequent competitions, he wasn't often on campus.

His sudden appearance at the classroom door surprised everyone.

"Who are you looking for" Xie Yujia asked when everyone was puzzled.

"Hao Ren." His gaze fixed on Hao Ren in the back of the class.

All eyes shifted to Hao Ren at the back of the classroom.

Hao Ren looked at him and noticed that Lu Qi emitted a faint red glow.

Fire-type!

"Come out for a moment, I have something to discuss with you," Lu Qi said while staring at Hao Ren.

His voice was calm but icy cold.

Hao Ren pushed through the crowd and walked to the front of the classroom door.

Lu Qi wore a frameless resin glasses, his eyes glowing faintly red. His skin looked even more delicate than that of a girl's; he had an aristocratic appearance, and strictly speaking, was more handsome than Hao Ren.

Sshh…

Variety of discussions started circulating in the classroom.

Lu Qi was a prodigy in the Go world who seemed worlds apart from these ordinary students. However, his sudden challenge to Hao Ren in such an aggressive manner sparked endless speculation and chatter.

"What's up" Hao Ren asked him.

"Challenge," Lu Qi coldly replied with two words.

Wow...

The classroom erupted into a chorus of exclamations.

"Where" Hao Ren inquired.

"Go room." Lu Qi answered.

Ahh...

The class was once again buzzing with excitement.

"Alright," Hao Ren nodded without hesitation and agreed.

Lu Qi nodded, heading towards the staircase. Hao Ren followed him down.

Dun dun dun dun...

A crowd of onlookers rushed after them.

The teaching buildings at Donghai University were connected by skywalks.

As Lu Qi and Hao Ren moved, more students emerged from nearby buildings.

"Lu Qi is challenging Hao Ren to a Go match!"

"Is it true"

"Come to the Go room yourself if you don't believe it!"

"What's going on"

"It’s said it has something to do with Su Han!"

"Yes, when they mentioned Su Han at the Go club! Lu Qi must also like her; Hao Ren and Su Han running together to school today really riled him up!"

"This is huge gossip, turns out Lu Qi likes Su Han too!"

As more students rushed towards the Go room, Hao Ren and Lu Qi had already entered the designated classroom for the Go club.

Lu Qi's outstanding achievements in the Go world, including his repeated defeats of Korean and Japanese players and bringing countless honors to Donghai University, earned him a special classroom dedicated solely as an activity space for the Go club. This was an unprecedented exception among all school clubs.

To allow the Go Club members to concentrate on their games, black paper was pasted over the classroom windows from the inside. Additionally, soundproofing equipment was installed.

Hao Ren and Lu Qi entered the Go classroom. Other students were shut out; they could only stand tiptoe and press their ears against the door, yet still couldn't see or hear anything happening inside.

"So you're saying that because of Su Han, you came to me" Hao Ren glanced around the room and asked Lu Qi.

The classroom had six or seven tables with Go boards on them, each adorned with black and white pieces.

"Today, Su Han sent a notice to all our secret societies that whoever can defeat you before Friday will replace you as an assistant examiner," said Lu Qi calmly while looking at Hao Ren.

This Su Han is still worried I won't have it tough enough...Hao Ren thought silently.

"Let me introduce myself, my name is Lu Qi. My lineage is Fire Dragon and I am of the Udren tradition, Rank Exchange." Lu Qi said.

“My name is Hao Ren, my lineage is Water Dragon, from the East Sea Clan, Rank Geng.” Hao Ren took a step back and replied.

"Pleased to meet you!"Lu Qi slightly bowed before suddenly making his move!

A red glow instantly enveloped the classroom!

Barrier!

The two tables next to Lu Qi were slammed open!

The black and white pieces flew up high.

Lu Qi clapped his hands, sending dozens of chess pieces flying towards Hao Ren's body in a mix of black and white!

This Lu Qi has extraordinary Go skills, and he is also no slouch when it comes to cultivation!

He looks only in his twenties but may have already cultivated for several decades. To reach Rank Exchange, one must surely be capable of competing in the Dragon God Temple's examination!

Everyone knows that for official examiner positions at the Dragon God Temple, priority is given to those with qualifications such as being an assistant examiner under similar conditions.

"Pleased to meet you!" Hao Ren bowed and suddenly shot 60 sword beams from his shoulders.

Crack... Crack...

The sword beams pierced through the chess pieces, instantly scattering shattered pieces all over the classroom floor.

With only 40% power and being at Rank Geng, to face a Rank Exchange opponent, one must use full strength!

"What kind of cultivation technique is this!" Lu Qi had never seen such a technique before, showing slight surprise.

He stepped on the ground and the shattered pieces flew up again, now following his palm's wind towards Hao Ren. They were covered in red flames!

Dozens of chess pieces became hundreds of glowing fragments!

Hao Ren's hand moved, turning 160 sword beams into 320!

Sword beams swept across the board, turning the chess piece fragments into nothing but dust.

"Heavens! Earth! Three Talents!" Hao Ren shouted with each pause.

The sword beams hummed as they flashed and shot towards Lu Qi's head, chest, and legs!

With only 40% power, it was a matter of quick victory or defeat!

And every second needed to be precisely controlled for each pause!

As Hao Ren's spiritual energy instantly suppressed the sword beams, they disappeared.

The moment he reactivated them again, they suddenly appeared once more!

Lu Qi had never seen such a weird attack method; in his palm, a black and white Go board suddenly appeared!

A Rank Exchange cultivator's personal magic treasure!

From the treasure came pure fire of both black and white colors. However, at this moment, Hao Ren's three waves of sword beams had already reached Lu Qi's neck, abdomen, and knees simultaneously.

Clang!

The sword beams suddenly stopped, just a few millimeters away from Lu Qi's skin.

Hum... hum...

As Hǎo Rén's spirit energy was emitted intermittently, the sword light flickered.

Lù Qí, who held a treasure implement, broke out in a cold sweat.

"You... lost," Hǎo Rén said indifferently.

The mysterious black and white flames still swirled around Lù Qí's chessboard-shaped treasure implement.

He stared at Hǎo Rén, gritted his teeth, then retracted the chessboard into his body.

From their confrontation to its end, it only took five seconds.

"I lost," Lù Qí nodded and withdrew the red barrier.

Rushing sounds... Countless sword lights rushed back into Hǎo Rén's body.

Lù Qí had just one personal treasure implement, while Hǎo Rén possessed 320. The sword qi was Hǎo Rén’s spirit energy and his treasures!

"If you wish, I can fight another round," Hǎo Rén said.

Lù Qí looked up at Hǎo Rén.

Bang!

The red barrier expanded again. Red flames burst out from Lù Qí's body!

His fair skin turned bright red!

Pang pang pang...

The chess-shaped personal treasure implement formed a black and white yin-yang pattern with a fiery dragon at the center, shooting endless flames.

The fire dragon soared into the sky to burn everything in its path.

Lù Qí practiced the "Blazing Fire Technique," intense flames that could melt rocks!

Slashes... Hǎo Rén's sword light reappeared from his body again!

This time, however, it wasn't a rainbow of colors but pure black sword lights!

"Black Water Technique!" Lù Qí couldn't help shouting.

The black sword light formed waves like the Netherworld's dark waters rushing toward the flames.

Water overcame fire!

In addition to property attributes, it was also the might of the sword formation!

Hǎo Rén's water attribute sword formation was no worse than Lù Qí's blazing inferno!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Flames and waves collided endlessly.

The two properties were incompatible. The flames surrounding Lù Qí and the sword formation around Hǎo Rén wore each other down...

In a few days, there would be the Dragon God Temple's examination. It was easy to pass the literary exam but difficult for the martial arts test.

The news Su Han released undoubtedly drew many "practice partners" for Hǎo Rén. At Donghai University, there weren't any extremely strong experts, but there were numerous dragon cultivators of roughly the same level as him.

How could Hǎo Rén not be grateful to Su Han

Half an hour later, the door to the Go classroom re-opened.

Lù Qí, with a pale face, walked out.

Hǎo Rén, smiling slightly, shook his hands and followed him out of the room.

The two didn't explain anything. Lù Qí went down the stairs, almost stumbling in the process.

Thus, news that Hǎo Rén had defeated Lù Qí at Go spread wildly across campus.ole Dafosi Temple. Beyond the red wall was a bustling street with closely packed buildings.Xie Yujia held onto the railing with her bright and lively eyes gazing into the distance.The gentle wind blow...